News: Medical aid, teddy bears win hearts in Al Rasheed

BAGHDAD -- Sgt. Daniel Watson, a Soldier assigned to E Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, makes a new friend during a MEDCAP in the Al Rasheed district Nov. 1. Watson, a native of Tuscon, Ariz., participated in the medical visit that treated more than 30 families in a predominantly poor neighborhood.

The Soldiers of E Company, 3rd Bn., 7th Inf. Reg. spoke with local authorities in the April 9th Village about the need for medical care and supplies in the neighborhood.

On Nov. 1, about 30 families were given medical screenings by U.S. Army doctors. One resident, wounded during an improvised explosive device attack, received a wheelchair from U.S. forces.

As the locals streamed in from all directions, a couple of the Soldiers from E Co. began organizing the crowd. With the help of two local sheikhs, the Soldiers handed out essential items to the families including 100 sets of children's clothes, 200 teddy bears and toy cars, 250 pairs of shoes and 100 personal hygiene kits.

Perhaps the most important moment came when a man brought his 4-year-old son to see the medics. The boy was born with his intestines protruding from his abdomen. Although he was brave, he was still scared as he got closer to the medics conducting evaluations.

The Army medics realized they had a case that needed further attention.

1st Lt. Daniel Sevilla, the battalion physician's assistant called for permission from Iraqi and U.S. Army authorities for the child to be seen by an Army surgeon. After he got the green light, Sevilla brought the child and his father to further treatment.

One of the platoon leaders from E Co., 3/7 Inf., 1st Lt. Ian Sullivan, was pleased with the outcome of the operation.

"From the initial security phase all the way through the medical assessment, everything went smoothly," Sullivan said. "It is missions like these that make me feel like we're making a difference."